Absolute Helix, after having received new transport horses and provisions from the nobles, set their course for Sentrea the next day. Before the trip, Tsutomu candidly discussed with his Clan’s members about his peculiar behavior during the previous Dungeon investigations, particularly his attempts to handle all the dangers alone as the Clan’s leader.
After conveying what he wanted, Tsutomu looked directly at Korinna.
“Korinna, I admit that I didn’t seriously consider your capabilities as a Healer. I’m sorry.”
“Uh… I don’t mind it. Really, I don’t!”
As Tsutomu bowed, Korinna shook her head apologetically. She had seen Tsutomu’s exploits during the previous Stampede — after House Babenberg’s shield was breached, he was the one who kept up the fight, giving everyone instructions. As such, she had long decided to follow Tsutomu’s judgments without question, and felt that it was not right to be apologized to by him.
Amira, in contrast, was visibly frustrated as she proceeded to repeatedly ruffle Tsutomu’s hair.
“I ain’t soft enough to be protected by a little guy like you, idiot.”
“Hey, this actually hurts, you know…”
“While I acknowledge your skills as a Healer,” Leleia added, “You do realize you can’t beat me in terms of pure strength, yes? Aren’t you overthinking things?”
“My bad,” Tsutomu apologized again, having received some rather harsh remarks from the Dragonewt duo.
“Y’know, I kinda knew this was on your mind,” Amy said, shaking her head in exasperation.
“Aww, you’re making me tear up, Teach!”
Hannah, on the other hand, seemed visibly moved by Tsutomu’s heartfelt thoughts.
Now that he got to share his feelings about the Stampede with his Clan’s members, Tsutomu felt a bit relieved as everyone empathized with his decision to take charge and act alone.
“Anyway,” Amy spoke up again, “Let’s all make it through this — and return to Dungeon City together!”
“Yeah!”
Tsutomu looked on with relief as everyone shared Amy’s determination to get through this incident. However, he also felt a sense of self-loathing as he realized that he was distancing himself from his Clan’s members.
The next day, Absolute Helix got on their horses and set out for the southern city of Sentrea. Alongside them, the knights of the Royal Capital, a portion of the marching band, and the Scarlet Devil Squad were also heading to Sentrea.
While riding and engaging in light banter with Weiss, Tsutomu alternated his gaze between the reins and the scenery. Although Tsutomu had learned horsemanship before the previous Stampede, it had been a while since he last rode, so he had to concentrate to avoid falling. Still, whether due to the horse being well-trained or some other factor, he did not struggle all that much.
Tsutomu was interested in the conversations happening around him, particularly the one between Cecilia, the Healer of the Scarlet Devil Squad, and Korinna, as well as the one between Alma and Leleia. Yet, the combination that intrigued him the most was Christia, the leader of the Labyrinth Conquerors, and Diniel.
The two rode side by side, not exchanging a single word. After about five minutes of silence, Tsutomu, curious, decided to break it.
“Were you two already acquainted?” Tsutomu asked, and Christia’s face, which had been slightly tense, softened.
“…No, we weren’t. I only heard about her from one of the elders’ letters, mentioning a marksmanship prodigy – ‘one loved by the bow’ – setting out on a journey. I saw her once through a Pedestal, and her skill was indeed remarkable.”
“Huh… I didn’t know she was someone famous among the Elves.”
“In the first place, Elves as a race have few who dedicate themselves to combat. Most follow the path laid out by the elders, with many learning the art of potioncraft. Elves who leave the village seeking battle are particularly rare.”
Hearing Christia’s words, Diniel’s brows furrowed slightly.
“I was just kicked out by my parents,” she grumbled.
“I HAVE heard from the elders that you were a laid-back person… But you know, seeing Elves being out and about, it feels like the village has changed quite a lot while I’ve been away.”
“I guess it has. And what about you? I’ve actually heard of you quite often… and it sounded like your generation’s elders didn’t like you very much. They even call you the one who ‘abandoned the forest’.”
“…I see.”
Upon hearing that name, Christia’s usual expressionless face softened, and she furrowed her brows slightly.
Centuries ago, the village of the Elves was more closed-off, its inhabitants looking down on humans and maintaining isolation. Born as a Dark Elf, a rare and combat-skilled subspecies, Christia had served as the guardian chief of the elven village at the time. Known as another one ‘loved by the bow,’ she quickly surpassed her elders, gaining recognition as an outstanding hero of the village.
However, during one Stampede, the wave of monsters threatened to trample its way through the village; informed as such by a dying human who had wandered into the forest during that time, Christia decided to venture outside. At the time, leaving the forest was rarely permitted, especially for a combat-specialized Dark Elf like Christia, making her decision even more challenging to accept.
Still, Christia set out for the outside world, determined to ensure the human’s death would not be in vain. However, this decision led to her permanent expulsion from the village and marked her as a Dark Elf who had ‘abandoned the forest,’ making her despised by the elders.
Christia, burdened by some sense of guilt, kept herself silent. Meanwhile, Diniel, seemingly unaffected, displayed her usual lack of energy.
“Well, the current elders are cool with you, though… And from my perspective, you made the right choice. You went on to found the Labyrinth Conquerors, and since then, the damage from Stampedes have decreased. As a result, the village has become peaceful.”
“…It’s still a fact that I abandoned the forest. That must have caused problems for the village afterward. The elders at that time made the best decision they could have.”
“I don’t care about ancient history. The result and the current situation — those are what I’m basing my opinions on.”
“……”
Upon hearing Diniel’s blunt words, Christia instinctively covered her mouth with her hand and turned her head aside. Her eyes, always as cold as icy glaciers, seemed to conceal a smile, visible to Tsutomu.
“I’ve heard that you’ve done many good deeds as well, Miss Christia,” Tsutomi proceeded to chime in.
“…Is that so? I appreciate that. Now listen — I’d love both of you to join the Labyrinth Conquerors…”
“Not happening. Too much trouble.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to die.”
“…That’s exactly the answer I expected from you, Diniel — and indeed, you should live life however you see fit. But you, Tsutomu… you absolutely should join the Labyrinth Conquerors. Your instinct of not wanting to die is what makes you truly remarkable.”
During the previous Dungeon investigations, Christia had occasionally observed Tsutomu, who always seemed to feel the fear of death. Such awareness was genuinely rare among explorers who had experienced death multiple times in God’s Dungeon.
Explorers who had gone through God’s Dungeon tended to fight without regard for their own lives. However, this mindset was not advantageous in other Dungeons, especially when commanding a large group. Explorers who were used to operating in God’s Dungeon, despite possessing high status ratings and powerful skills due to their high levels, were challenging to trust with one’s back.
Tsutomu, having experienced death only once, was sensitive to this fear, making him a trustworthy ally. If someone trusted with their back were to die, Tsutomu’s vigilance level would also increase. Thus, Tsutomu would make every effort to strategically utilize trusted comrades and minimize damage. In God’s Dungeon, the fear of death, a weakness, became a strength elsewhere.
“I suppose I should make the best of this occasion and ask you outright: What is it that you want? I truly have no idea. Tell me. What would make you join the Labyrinth Conquerors?”
The organization known as the Labyrinth Conquerors, although reduced in scale compared to years ago, was significant enough to have informants in various cities to investigate the movements of Stampedes. In the Dungeon City, there were multiple such individuals, and they had been conducting thorough investigations on Tsutomu. However, Tsutomu showed interest in neither money nor glory, and did not seem to pay any particular attention to women either. Some suspected him of having an inclination toward same-sex relationships, but even that did not seem to be the case.
As Tsutomu received Christia’s direct gaze and awkwardly closed his mouth, Diniel, as if she had thought of something, lightly raised her head.
“You know, Tsutomu’s always seemed a bit shady. Maybe he’s asexual just like us Elves.”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“But there’s one thing he takes very seriously. If he can control that, he might join the Labyrinth Conquerors.”
“Tell me, Diniel. What is it?” Christia immediately asked back.
Diniel answered with a look of pity in her eyes: “God’s Dungeon.”
“…What?”
“Whenever he talks about God’s Dungeon, he expresses emotions a boy his age would. It’s probably even more important to him than humanity’s three basic needs.”
Indeed, God’s Dungeon was just about the only thing that Tsutomu seemed genuinely enthusiastic about, even from Diniel’s perspective. In addition to her own observations, Diniel had also heard the same opinion from Amy on several occasions.
“Here’s the thing — he’s here to help during this Stampede only because it ultimately affects his ability to explore God’s Dungeon. He doesn’t fight for a noble cause like you do. He’s just a Dungeon nerd.”
“Uh, you do realize that I’m right here, right, Diniel?”
“……”
Hearing these words, Christia, once again covering her mouth with her hand, spurred her horse forward as if to leave the two behind. Watching Christia disappear into the distance, Diniel turned to Tsutomu.
“Aww, why’d you have to make her angry like that, Tsutomu?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, this is clearly YOUR fault, Diniel. I haven’t done a single thing to contribute to that.”
“Riiiight… I wouldn’t be so sure. Well, whatever. It’s a good thing that you’re not a skirt-chaser, at least.”
Having said all that she wanted to, Diniel lightly kicked her horse’s belly with her heel, increasing its speed. Tsutomu narrowed her eyes as he watched Diniel leave, and then heaved a sigh.
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